Increasing decline in yields has tipped the Supply /Demand scale allowing prices to firm slightly. Mostly due to Insect and disease pressure overall production has dipped although there continues to be deals available daily with some growers being hampered more than others. Quality has varied but overall good. Production from Southern Colorado over the next month will likely aid in keeping West Coast demand moderated.
Leaf Lettuce
Romaine and Romaine Hearts Production remains steady to slightly improved while demand remains weak with Eastern Homegrown production currently peaking. Deals are available daily for volume orders. California supplies will remain steady while Eastern production could see a decline if continued heat affects quality enough to push demand West. Quality remains mostly good.
Red leaf, Greenleaf and Boston Demand on Leaf continues steady with moderate supplies as the Eastern Homegrown season continues to offer significant freight savings.
Celery
No changes in the market this week. Harvest continues out of both Santa Maria and Salinas and there is good availability out of either district. Quality has been good. Dark green color with little to no defects. Weights are averaging around 55#.
Artichokes
Production of the Thornless varieties has become dominant. Sizing again is peaking on the Largest sizes with an array of sizes available .
Broccoli
As forecasted in last week’s writings the market is in a downward trend. It feels as if there is a little more room for prices to fall before they hit a level where inventories start to decline. There is a lot of inventory out there so make sure you have eyes on it before shipping. We are seeing the same quality defects as last week which is branchy heads and some light green coloring and uneven domes.
Cauliflower
Good availability out of both Santa Maria and Salinas. Most shippers will be looking to make deals over the next couple of days, especially with warmer weather expected for the end of the week. Get with your Produce West representative for your best loading options.
Brussels Sprouts
Supplies from Coastal California continue to improve as the market adjusts downward. Quality remains varied as well as sizing . Sharp deals are especially available on the small and large sizes.
Green Onions
Mexico supplies remain sufficient but hot temperatures have impacted quality and overall supply while border delays remain an intermittent issue and have been magnified with the extra travel day.
Strawberries
The Conventional fall crop out of Santa Maria has shown to be of good quality with nice shape and size. Volumes will be steady this week , with slightly increasing numbers next week. Counts have been running 14 to 18 ct on the conventional fall crop out of Santa Maria. Organic production will remain steady over the next few weeks with small pack sizes being reported at 22 to 26 count. The Salinas and Watsonville areas are producing good quality conventional fruit, but some overripe fruit has been reported at the field level. Crews should have this cleaned up by this weekend. Production will trend from steady to slightly downward over the next few weeks and pack sizes will be ranging from 20 to 24 count. Organic counts will be even smaller, ranging 28 to 32 count.
Blackberries
Overall numbers are on the low side for the next 7 to 10 days. As soon as California experiences the forecasted warmer temps around the 1st week of August, we will experience peak production for the Blackberry category around the last 2 weeks of August as the fruit will come on quickly.
Raspberries
A slight downtrend in the overall numbers industry wide is expected for the next few weeks until Central Mexico begins producing larger production in mid August. Quality is good out of Mexico, but there has been some soft fruit due to wet weather. Quality will improve on the forecasted favorable weather we are expecting for the latter part of July and into August.
Blueberries
Pacific Northwest is producing strong volumes this week and into next. Watsonville will continue with light volume into August, but will gradually climb to peak numbers in the fall months. This is the final week for the Baja and Oxnard areas.
Stone Fruit
The California central valley is experiencing a heat wave this past weekend and will be over 105 degrees all this week. Growers are starting harvest early in the morning and finishing before noon, reducing overall harvest numbers. Light volume on peaches expected for the balance of the summer, with only have mixer availability on large sizes with no volume fill. Volume will be lighter this week on yellow nectarines but supplies are expected to increase next week through the first couple weeks of August. The overall plum crop is light this season and supplies are expected to remain tight all season.
Grapes
Plenty of grapes are coming out of California this week. Mexico volume is significantly down and California fruit has been picking up the slack. Varieties include flame, summer royal and sugar one varieties. Quality has been excellent with very few issues to report industry wide. Demand has been steady, although we will likely see better demand towards the second week of August. Good volumes are expected for the near future and shippers are looking to promote most varieties.
Oranges
California valencia orange harvests continue out of district 1. This season will likely continue until the end of September. Shippers are anticipating a gap in production between valencias and navels this year as a result of an early start to the valencia season. Quality reports are very good with excellent color and brix. Peak sizing is on 113 count. although there is more balance in supplies between sizes. Expect strong pricing and tight supplies for the coming weeks.
Lemons
Harvests continue out of district 2 on the California coast. This area will likely continue through mid August. Quality remains mixed and some shippers are not shipping all the way east with California product. Offshore product from Argentina is arriving and good quality has been reported. Mexico production is also improving. With multiple growing areas in production we will likely see pricing settle over the coming weeks.
Limes
Good weather this week in Mexican growing areas. Demand has been steady this week industry wide. Sizing is peaking on 175 and 200 count fruit. Growers are expecting lighter inventory for the month of August and pricing will likely react. Some quality issues have been reported including scarring, oil spots and blanching.
Cantaloupes
Another week of disappointing yields and large sizes. Demand has been about normal with some promotions in place but if feels more active due to the underproduction. Fields continue to be hard to read and production has been very hard to predict or gauge due to planting gaps, extreme temps an low water tables. There is little local competition this time of year. Yields and supplies look to be unpredictable until around the first week in August. We look for a steady market next week with some dealing perhaps by the end of the week or if and when production normalizes.
Honeydews
Same story with dews. Lighter plantings due to water, and irregular supplies continue to the narrative theme. Sizes skewing large here too (Jbo & Reg 5) with few 6s. Once again volume for next week is murky. Demand seems steady and markets should react somewhat the same as cantaloupes with dealing and declining prices if and when there are normal or normalize supplies toward the end of the month or beginning of August
Organic Items
OG Broccoli & Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Broccoli Northern California production has been good although Hot temperatures have led to reduced supplies as quality has declined along with increased insect pressure. Pricing has settled. Expect supplies to remain light to moderate throughout the Summer.
OG Celery
Production in Northern California has improved quality and availability as the market looks steady at current levels.
OG Herbs & Bunch Greens
Production continues in Northern California with growers continuing to assess the effects of the Hot temperatures a couple weeks ago. Expect to see quality issues continue for another couple weeks.
OG Root Vegetables
Carrot Production remains unstable along with quality, especially bunched Carrot Tops with ongoing excessive heat in the Central Valley. Continue to plan ahead to get partial coverage.
OG Leaf and Iceberg Lettuce
Leaf, Iceberg & Romaine Romaine and Romaine Heart supplies remain steady Green and Red leaf Overall supplies are steady as local homegrown production continues to influence West coast demand. Quality appears to be rebounding following hot temperatures last couple weeks.
OG Citrus
Lemons, Oranges, Limes and Grapefruit Strong demand throughout the entire Citrus category due to strong retail sales and revived foodservice activity.
Lemon production continues to decline from California with prices firming and mostly choice fruit available. Improved supplies from Mexico have begun as we move through July.
Lime quality and supplies are improving but remain inconsistent.
Valencia production has improved although still limited volume but good sizing. The overall crop is expected to be lighter than normal throughout the Summer.
Grapefruit supplies have peaked with lighter volume available.
OG Tree Fruit
Stone Fruit Steady Production on Yellow and White Peaches and Nectarines with improving supplies of Plums and Pluots. Apricots are finishing up for the Summer.. Good demand has kept prices elevated all season. Pears have begun this week
OG Melons
Melons Production from Northern California continues to stumble to get significant volume. Supplies of Cantaloupes have been moderate while Honeydews and Mini Watermelons continue to lag behind schedule. Pent-up demand has kept prices active.
OG Grapes
Production from Central California has improved supplies as prices settle near current levels. Quality has been excellent to start with additional product of Mexico still available with varied quality and reduced prices.
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